Karlene Paul-Sparks
Brooklyn,New York
Summary
Results-driven professional with experience in workforce development and recruiting practices. Offering exceptional skills in selection & staffing, relationship building, and workforce planning. Committed to finding and attracting top talent to drive organizational success. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Technical Skills: MS Office 365, Video conferencing: Zoom, MS Teams, CS Pro, NYC WAY, HRA SEAMS, and Several internal databases for information entry and data storage
Resourceful Career Counselor focused on building successful education paths in support of career goals. Hardworking and resilient professional with a deep understanding of company needs and market trends.
Overview
1
1
Certification
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Career Counsellor
NADAP
Brooklyn, New York
12.2025 - Current
- Work with participants to develop a comprehensive service plan based upon client intake, assessment results, and thorough understanding of the individual's interests, strengths, employment and training history, preferences, and needs. This plan will be completed within 30 calendar days of client enrollment in PACE.
- Provide employment readiness counseling and support for job placement activities, including referrals, job search assistance, and coordination with placement staff.
- Maintains and executes documentation and workflow through computer-based programs and technology that draw on basic software/computer skill set including case notes for each client interaction, client intake signature, scanning relevant documents to client file such as signed EP/ISP, education credentials, and a resume.
- Referring clients to appropriate education, training, internships, bridge programs, and alternative engagement opportunities based on assessment results and career goals.
- Work with participants to develop a comprehensive service plan based upon client intake, assessment results, and thorough understanding of the individual's interests, strengths, employment and training history, preferences, and needs. TThis plan will be completed within 30 calendar days of client enrollment in PACE.
- Conduct intake and assessment and develop individualized service plans for PACE ABAWD Cash Assistance clients within 30 calendar days of enrollment, ensuring alignment with ABAWD work requirements.
- Complete required ABAWD assessments and identify barriers impacting employability or compliance.
- Ensure client compliance with ABAWD participation requirements by assigning, monitoring, and documenting approved work activities, including community service, workshops, independent job search, education and training, and other work-related activities.
- Taking the results of the TABE or SABE and other types of assessment instruments used in PACE determine the educational, skills level, and vocational interest of the participant. Completes HRA's on-line employment plan.
- Conducts re-assessments on clients returned to PACE. Provides case management, counseling, assessment(s) and assists in the reassignment to programming that might be a better fit. For clients disengaged for more than 3 months, provide counseling and support to determine the reasoning for not participating.
- Collaborate with PACE staff, Engagement Specialists, and community partners to ensure coordinated service delivery and timely referrals.
- Collaborates with other PACE staff to provide holistic services to all clients during orientation, workshop and service coordination meetings. Collaborates with Post-Assessment Coordinator to maintain follow-up and accurate information regarding client progress at referral engagements for at least 1 year following assessment completion.
- Consistently manages caseload by reviewing client program start dates, attendance and other issues to best determine next steps for clients, including referrals to external programs, timely FTCs or other necessary actions.
- Maintain accurate timekeeping, attendance, and participation records for all ABAWD activities using WISE, along with timely case notes and supporting documentation.
- Participate in required meetings, trainings, and staff development activities related to ABAWD policy, HRA guidance, and PACE procedures.
- Assessed NADAP clients' employment barriers and career readiness
- Developed individual career plans using NADAP counseling guidelines
- Maintains and executes documentation and workflow through computer-based programs and technology that draw on basic software/computer skill set including case notes for each client interaction, client intake signature, scanning relevant documents to client file such as signed EP/ISP, education credentials, and resume.
- Assessed NADAP clients' employment barriers and career readiness
- Developed individual career plans using NADAP counseling guidelines
Business Service Consultant
Equus Workforce Solutions
Augusta, NY
01.2023 - 10.2025
- Developed and maintained relationships with local employers and agencies to create job opportunities for participants.
- Collaborate with case management to facilitate job placements.
- Conducted assessments, including resume reviews and counseling, to enhance participants employability.
- Conduct prescreening for participants to match them with suitable work placements and make referrals.
- Host recruitment events and managed screenings and interviews.
- Connected participants with community resources and workshops to support their job search and skill development.
- Address worksite performance issues promptly.
- Supported Equus Workforce Solutions clients with career counseling and employment plans.
- Assisted with various deputy managerial tasks to support team operations.
Lead Rental Assistance Application Processor
Public Consulting Group
Brooklyn, Ny
11.2021 - 10.2022
- Reviewed Web-based Emergency Rental Assistance applications under applicable policies and procedures to determine eligibility, make appropriate assistance recommendations, and finalize applications for Quality Control review promptly
- Verified applicant documents for completeness, accuracy, and eligibility requirements.
- Calculated income, deductions, exemptions, and rental assistance amounts to determine eligible assistance.
- Advised both tenants and landlords on program regulations and administrative policies.
- Processed public program applications following Public Consulting Group review standards.
- Compiled detailed reports on application statuses, highlighting processing delays; detailed the status of application assignments and the reasons for any delays in processing applications
- Discussed project scope and objectives with supervisors to understand specific data needs and develop input guidelines maximizing database impact while excluding irrelevant data.
Senior Recruiting Assistant
US Census Bureau
03.2019 - 03.2020
- Updated and developed recruiting procedures, enhancing consistency and compliance with established guidelines.
- Advised hiring managers on effective interviewing techniques
- Explored and implemented innovative methods for allocating employment opportunities, increasing candidate engagement.
- Evaluated and recommended recruiting software, which streamlined the recruitment process for the organization.
- Updated and developed recruiting procedures based on established guidelines.
- Attended and hosted career events and job fairs.
- Onboarded new temporary employees by entering their information into the system.
HVAC Technician
US Army
Augusta, GA
02.2002 - 03.2005
- Performed troubleshooting on HVAC systems to determine the root cause of issues
- Investigated major malfunctions and breakdowns of heating and air-conditioning systems and used troubleshooting to determine causes
- Investigated major malfunctions and breakdowns of heating and air-conditioning systems to identify root causes and implement solutions
- Replaced worn bearings, pump seals, and packing in HVAC systems to ensure proper functioning.
- Replaced bearings, pump seals, and packing
- Monitored building environmental conditions to ensure optimal performance and compliance with safety standards
- Monitored building environmental conditions
- Conducted maintenance service on HVAC systems to extend equipment life and minimize risk of costly repairs
Education
Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive
Skills
- Job search planning
- Job placement support
- Workforce development
- Vocational counseling
- Employer outreach
- Caseload management
- Active listening
- Problem solving
- Conflict resolution
- Career evaluations
- Service planning
- Case documentation
- Job search planning
- Participant intake
Certification
Business Development Certifications, CFC/ HCFC – Refrigerant Processing and Recovery in the US Army - CFC/ HCFC – Recycle Qualification, CFC/ HCFC – Equipment Certified
Timeline
Career Counsellor
NADAP
12.2025 - Current
Business Service Consultant
Equus Workforce Solutions
01.2023 - 10.2025
Lead Rental Assistance Application Processor
Public Consulting Group
11.2021 - 10.2022
Senior Recruiting Assistant
US Census Bureau
03.2019 - 03.2020
HVAC Technician
US Army
02.2002 - 03.2005
Chaguanas Senior Comprehensive